Published 10:00 pm, Thursday, June 17, 2010

Ferry officials announced tentatively that the Chetzemoka will be christened Aug. 28 and start service soon thereafter. The ceremony will take place at the Keystone ferry dock with state and local dignitaries.

The news of a larger ferry that will permanently serve the Port Townsend-to-Keystone route comes as good news for the Coupeville business community.

The Chetzemoka is the first 64-car Kwa-di Tabil class ferry. It will provide a permanent vessel for the Port Townsend-to-Keystone route. The new ferry is similar in size to the Steel Electric ferries, which transportation officials pulled from service in November 2007 due to safety concerns surrounding the 80-year-old vessels’ hulls. The four antiquated ferries have since been sold and scrapped.

Removing the Steel Electrics from service threw the Keystone ferry route into chaos because there wasn’t a vessel capable of navigating in and out of the difficult entry into Keystone Harbor available. After using passenger-only ferries, Washington State Ferries finally leased the Stillacoom II from Pierce County. However, that ferry is smaller than the Steel Electrics and sailings of the 50-car ferry are often canceled because of high winds and heavy seas.

The limited ferry service upset business owners on Whidbey Island, especially in the Coupeville area. Eccles said business owners saw a significant drop in activity when the Steel Electrics were removed.

The Chetzemoka cost approximately $65.5 million to build and is currently on budget. Its completion date is on schedule, ferries spokesperson Marta Coursey said in an email. In addition to holding 64 cars, the ferry will also carry between 650 and 750 passengers.

The christening ceremony will take place at the Keystone terminal. State Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, Coupeville Mayor Nancy Conard and officials from Washington State Ferries and Todd Shipyards in Seattle are scheduled to speak. Eccles said Pierce County will receive recognition for its willingness to lease the Stillacoom II over the past several years.

While the Chetzemoka should improve service at Keystone, it won’t completely restore service. That won’t happen until the second Kwa-di Tabil class ferry is complete sometime next year. That yet-to-be-named ferry could serve the Port Townsend route during the busy summer months.